GROWING VEGETABLE SOUP

BY LOIS EHLERT
 TIPS FOR THE READER

In this kit, you will find a wonderful children’s book and practical resources you can
use to help a child develop important lifelong skills. Use these tips to engage the child
in talking about the story, further developing vocabulary, comprehension and a love
of reading. Finally, use the provided materials and Activity Instructions to extend and
practice new skills.

GROWING VEGETABLE SOUP BY LOIS EHLERT

Together, a father and child share the joys of planting, watering, and watching seeds grow.
And once their harvest of tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, and corn is ready, they’ll cook it up
into the best soup ever! Lois Ehlert’s bright, graphic art and simple text make this vibrant
board book a perfect read-aloud for budding gardeners and their families.

Themes covered: gardening, growth process of plants, measurement

Skills developed: patience, responsibility, matching, letter recognition

Verbal Prompts
Before reading, ask…

i What vegetables do you like? Where do you think they come from?
i Who has helped cook vegetables at home?
i Who can name a vegetable that is orange? Green? Purple? Red? Yellow?

While reading…

i Ask children to name objects they see on the pages.

i Who has a garden at home? What is growing in your garden?
i What do plants need to grow?
i What vegetables would you put in vegetable soup?

After reading…

i Bring out a tub or basket of a wide variety of vegetables (asparagus,

beets, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplant,
corn, spinach, collards, peas, squash, zucchini, pinto beans, carrots,
peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, okra, etc.).
i Have each child pick out a vegetable.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 TIPS FOR THE READER

i Ask the following questions:

1. Who has a vegetable that is green? Red? Purple? Yellow? Orange?

2. Who can tell me the name of their vegetable?
3. Where does your vegetable grow (underground, on a vine, on a
bush, on a stalk?) When children don’t know the answer, explain it.
4. Where do you buy these vegetables?
5. What’s your favorite vegetable and what do you like to eat with it?

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 PROP/PUZZLE/GAME 1
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

PLANTING SEEDS
Help children learn how seeds grow into plants and vegetables
with this seed planting activity!

Supplies You’ll Need Kit Assembly Instructions

q Two biodegradable pots Include the book and Tips for the Reader in the kit.
for each child

q Soil

q Paper bowls and spoons

q Seeds (beans, tomatoes,

squash)

q Popsicle sticks

q Permanent markers

q Something to scoop soil

q Spray bottle filled with

water

q Large storage bin(s) or

other container

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 PROP/PUZZLE/GAME 1
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

PLANTING SEEDS
Help children learn how seeds grow into plants and vegetables
with this seed planting activity!

Follow These Steps

1. Provide each child with:
• Two biodegradable pots
• Two popsicle sticks

2. Write the child’s name on the pot and cup.

3. Show children the different kinds of seeds. Ask what they notice is different
about the three seeds (color, shape, size). Let them guess which are beans,
tomatoes, and corn seeds.

4. Let each child pick which kind of seeds they want to plant. Give them 6-8
seeds (3-4 seeds for each container).

5. Write the type of seed they picked on each popsicle stick.

6. Let each child fill their cup and pot with soil. Ask them to push the seeds
into the soil and cover them.

7. Put a popsicle stick in the side of each pot.

8. Explain how seeds need sun and water to grow. Let them use the
spray bottle to dampen their soil. Encourage them to water their
pots every day.

9. Let them place the pots on a window sill or shelf in the sun.

10. Once the seeds sprout, let the children take the biodegradable pot home
and plant it in the ground or a larger pot.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 PROP/PUZZLE/GAME 2
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

CATEGORIZATION, COUNTING AND CHARTING

Help children learn about matching colors and charting with this activity!

Supplies You’ll Need Kit Assembly Instructions

q Construction paper (one Include the book and Tips for the Reader in the kit.
each of brown, green,
orange, yellow,
purple, and red)

q Fresh vegetables in
the same colors as the
construction paper

q Copy of the color/number

template cut in half

q Scissors

q Pencil

q Plastic bag(s) or other

container

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 PROP/PUZZLE/GAME 2
TEMPLATE

Name____________________________________________________

Color Number
Red
Green
Yellow
Purple
Orange
Brown

Name____________________________________________________

Color Number
Red
Green
Yellow
Purple
Orange
Brown
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
 PROP/PUZZLE/GAME 2
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

CATEGORIZATION, COUNTING AND CHARTING

Help children learn about matching colors and charting with this activity!

Follow These Steps

1. Put each piece of construction paper on a different table (or different
place in the room).

2. Give each child a vegetable and a blank chart. Ask them to place
their vegetable on the table with a corresponding color (e.g. if your
vegetable is green, place it on the table with green construction paper).

3. Ask the children to:

a. write their name on the color/number chart,

b. go to each table to count the number of vegetables by color, and

c. write the number of vegetables by color on the chart.

You will need to repeat the instructions periodically and help

children who forget.

4. When they’re finished ask, which color has the most? The least?
Which vegetables are the biggest? The smallest?

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 TAKE HOME ACTIVITY KIT 1
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

LETTER MATCHING BOARDS

Help children learn vegetable names and words with these matching boards!

Supplies You’ll Need Kit Assembly Instructions

q Copies of the templates 1. For each child, make a copy of the three templates
with images of vegetables and laminate them.
and of large letters
If you’re using contact paper:
q Laminator or clear contact
• Lay one sheet down with the sticky side up.
paper (instructions at
• Carefully place the template face down on the
right)
contact paper.
q Scissors • Lay another sheet of contact paper on the back
side of the template.
q 3x5 notecards
2. Cut out the letters and put them in the bag.
q Plastic bag(s) or other
containers 3. Insert both vegetable picture cards in the bag
with the letters.

4. Include the book and Tips for the Reader in the kit.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 TAKE HOME ACTIVITY KIT 1
Matching Board for Ages 2-3 TEMPLATE

Tomato Carrot Cabbage

Squash Broccoli Peppers

Beets Corn Zucchini

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 TAKE HOME ACTIVITY KIT 1
Matching Board for Ages 4-5 TEMPLATE

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

 TAKE HOME ACTIVITY KIT 1
TEMPLATE

Z P C
C B T
B C S
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
 TAKE HOME ACTIVITY KIT 1
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

LETTER MATCHING BOARDS

Help children learn vegetable names and words with these matching boards!

Follow These Steps

For 2-3 year olds:

1. Place the page with vegetable pictures (with words) on the table or floor.

2. Point to each picture and say the word.

3. Give the child a bag of letters and ask them to match the letter to the vegetable.
Help as needed.

4. Ask them questions about the vegetable. Is it sweet or sour? Is it soft or hard?

For 4-5 year olds:

1. Place the page with vegetable pictures (no words) on the table or floor.

2. Ask the child to name the vegetable. Help them as needed.

3. Give the child a bag of letters and ask them to match the letter to the vegetable.
For example, if a child has a “C”, they will place that letter on a picture of a carrot.
To help, ask them to say the word or the sound at the beginning of the word.

4. Ask them what other words start with that sound.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert